SOME 799,782 needy Sabahans will benefit from the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) involving RM696.3 million, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Federal Government initiative, involving allocation of up to RM8 billion aims to reduce the living costs faced by some 8.7 million recipients nationwide in stages.
In Sabah, RM494 million has been cashed out over three phases so far, while the remaining RM202 million is in the next phase this November.
“The STR will be credited directly to the recipient’s bank account in phases. Recipients who do not have a bank account may cash out the assistance at any Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches until Dec. 31.
“To ensure the assistance is channelled to residents in rural areas, the Government will conduct a cashing out programme in the relevant districts from Aug 3 until mid-September,” he said at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting in Kota Kinabalu on Aug 8, in reply to Kapayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang who asked how many Kapayan constituents have benefited from the assistance and why some applications for the aid were not approved.
Hajiji said there are 1,345 recipients in the Kapayan constituency involving an allocation of approximately RM1 million.
He said an application for STR would be rejected if the applicant failed to meet the eligibility requirements.
“(It would be rejected) if the applicant has a monthly income of more than RM5,000 (per household and single elderly individuals) as well as more than RM2,500 for singles,” he said.
He added that failing to indicate one’s marriage/divorce status in the submitted documents as well as failing to meet single status or full-time student status would also cause the application to be rejected.
Regarding applicants that may have been overlooked, Hajiji said they are encouraged to re-apply for the aid.
To a supplementary question by Usukan Assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak who asked if the recipient list is classified information and if it could be supplied to assemblymen, Hajiji said it is not secret and can be made available to the public.
“The data used is from the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Welfare Department and those listed under e-Kasih.
“This information can be made known to the people’s representatives or the public and they can point out if any recipient has been overlooked,” said Hajiji.
